Refugee Studies Centre

An introduction

Overview

Studying in Oxford

About the Refugee Studies Centre

Refugee and Forced Migration Studies

Studying in Oxford

11,752 undergraduates

9,621 postgraduates

Studying in Oxford

45% postgraduates

Studying in Oxford

61%non-UK

Studying in Oxford

Studying in Oxford

Refugee Studies Centre

Mission: To build knowledge and understanding of the causes and effects of forced migration in order to help improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Founded by Barbara Harrell-Bond in 1982, the RSC pioneered a new field of academic study:

Causes and consequences of forced migration

Legal and normative framework

Humanitarian response

RSC timeline

1980 1985 1990 1995

1982 Founded by Barbara

Harrell-Bond

1987Foundation Course in Refugee Studies

establishedRefugee Participation Network (RPN)

Newsletter launched

1990First Summer School

RSC timeline

2000 2005 20101998

RPN Newsletter re-launched as Forced Migration Review

Master’s in Forced Migration offered for the first time replacing

Foundation Course

2002Awarded Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further

Education in recognition of the RSC’s pioneering research and innovative training programmes

2012Secured fourth permanent post, a

Lecturership in International Human Rights and Refugee Law

RSC activitiesThe Centre focusses on three interrelated activities:

Research – providing multidisciplinary, independent and critical scholarship on factors determining and resulting from the forced displacement of populations

Teaching – supporting and developing the next generation of scholars and thinkers

Dissemination – promoting influential engagement with a full range of academics, policymakers and practitioners

Research Emphasising multi-disciplinary and independent thinking and the centrality of international human rights and refugee law

Creating a body of concepts based on systematic inquiry to influence academic, policy and practice agendas

Challenging the refugee victim stereotype through the contestation of passive victimhood and a contemporary focus on rights, resilience and the agency of refugees

Giving voice to some of most marginalised and rights-deprived communities in the world

Engaging the international humanitarian community by linking scholarship to policy and practice and enhancing capacity

Current projectsResearch projects grouped into three general themes: Drivers, Governance and Experiences

What drives forced migration and how do the drivers change over time?

What spaces and opportunities exist for forced migrants to influence and change the structures that govern them?

How do individuals, groups and communities respond and adopted to the challenges posed by displacement?

Over 20 current research projects addressing critical refugee and forced migration issues around the world including environmental change, conflict and humanitarian response

Environmentally displaced peopleLed by Professor Roger Zetter and Dr James Morrissey

First phase investigated capacity of national-level legal and normative frameworks and regional and international legal apparatus that might apply to displacement in a context of environmental change

Issues were examined in four countries affected by slow-onset climate change conditions – rising sea levels in Bangladesh and Vietnam, and desertification in Kenya and Ghana

Second phase aims to detail local level analysis of communities and households affected by climate and environmental change

Mobile peoples and conservationLed by Professor Dawn Chatty

RSC hosted event in Wadi Dana, Jordan, in 2002 which led to the Dana Declaration on Mobile Peoples and Conservation

Declaration calls for recognition of the problems facing mobile peoples, the main barriers to improving their productivity and wellbeing and the lessons that can be learned from their way of life

Became part of the Durban Accord in 2003

Endorsed by the world conservation body, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008

Statement delivered to UN ‘Earth Summit’ in 2012 on behalf of Dana representatives

The liberal state and expulsion of members

Led by Dr Matthew J Gibney

Explores various incarnations that expulsion power takes in modern liberal states

Attempts to show how new developments in identity politics and concerns over crime and terrorism in modern states fuel contemporary controversy over expulsion

Main foci include: the history of banishment as a precursor of modern deportation power; denationalisation and the evolution of powers to strip citizenship in liberal states; and the evolution and legitimacy of deportation

Humanitarian Innovation ProjectLed by Dr Alexander Betts with Naohiko Omata (Research Officer), Louise Bloom (Research Officer) and Mafalda Picarra (Project Coordinator) 

Explores the emerging way in which innovation can be harnessed to transform humanitarian assistance, particularly in relation to refugee protection

On a practical level, the project aims to identify ways in which innovation, technology and the private sector can enhance refugees’ entitlements and opportunities within both emergency settings and protracted refugee situations

On an academic level, the project aims to conceptualise the changing relationship between states, markets and international organisations in humanitarian governance

In protracted limboLed by Dr Nando Sigona with Dr Elaine Chase and Professor Robert Walker (Social Policy and Intervention)

Explores gaps in theory and knowledge surrounding youth migration in the EU

Aims to identify the implications for contemporary national and international policy governing the treatment and support of young people subject to immigration control across the EU

Majority of young adults who previously entered Europe as independent migrant children are denied refugee status or humanitarian protection but afforded time-limited welfare support

Once adults many end up in limbo – uncertain of whether or not they will be able to remain in the country of immigration/asylum and for how long

Faith-based humanitarianism in contexts of forced migration

Led by Dr Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh

Explores the motivations and practices of faith communities and faith-based organisations (FBOs) in their response to forced displacement around the world

Although FBOs are often at the forefront of humanitarian responses, little is known about the scale, nature and impacts of their interventions.

Currently collaborating with a ‘Joint Learning Initiative’ on ‘Local faith communities and resilience’ involving academics, policy makers, practitioners and representatives from a diversity of faith communities to explore the nature and impacts of initiatives developed by local faith communities in humanitarian situations

TeachingMSc Refugee and Forced Migration Studies – interdisciplinary degree exploring forced migration through a thesis, a group research essay, and a range of required courses

DPhil – currently over 20 doctoral students carrying out research under the supervision of RSC staff

International Summer School in Forced Migration – fosters dialogue between academics, practitioners and policymakers working to improve the situation of refugees and other forced migrants

Workshops – brings together a range of researchers, policy makers and practitioners to discuss emerging themes and issues

RSC Library – RSC collections at the SSL form the largest collection of materials worldwide relating to the causes, experiences, consequences and implications of forced displacement

Forced Migration ReviewMagazine published by the Refugee Studies Centre

Most widely read publication on forced migration 

Available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic, and free of charge in print and online

“… sharp analysis of refugee-related issues in an attractive and accessible format.”

“Essential reading for all practitioners, researchers and policymakers working in the area of forced migration.”

Policy Briefings and Working Papers

Policy Briefings (2-3/year)Provide policy-relevant research findings in an accessible formatSeek to stimulate debates on issues of key interest to researchers, policy makers and practitioners

Working Papers (8-10/year)Aid the rapid distribution of work in progress, research findings and special lecturesStudents who receive a distinction for their thesis given opportunity to publish in the series

Digital Library contains over 5,500 full-text documents including grey literature from the RSC library which can be searched and downloaded

Regional/thematic research guides provide concise studies written by experts in the field

Resource pages pinpoint key resources from all areas of the site relating to major issues

Multimedia content including image library, videos and podcasts

Forced Migration Online

RSC website – find out latest news as well as information about staff, research projects, events and publications

Social media – Facebook and Twitter profiles so you don’t miss the latest news and updates

Podcasts – RSC Public Seminars and lectures are recorded and made available as podcasts, accessible on FMO and the RSC website as well as iTunes U and podcasts.ox.ac.uk (search: ‘refugee studies centre’)

Videos – RSC interviews and other videos on Vimeo and YouTube channels

RSC website and social media

Why study refugees and forced migration?

Year Millions

1975 2.5

1994 27

1999 22

2009 36

2010 34

2011 35**

**IDPs 15.5

Stateless 3.5

Palestinians 4.9

UNHCR Persons of concern 39.9mWorld-wide total

displaced Results from conflict, repressive regimes, environmental change and development policies.Raises fundamental challenges for the international order.Requires informed reflection on historical, global and human context.

World-wide displacementUNHCR global distribution of refugees, 2011

80% remain in region, 50% urban, 33% encamped

44% or refugees and a/s are under 18

Region Millions

Asia and Pacific 3.6

Africa 2.7

MENA 1.7

Europe 1.6

Americas 0.8

TOTAL 10.4

UNHCR Definitions

Refugees

Asylum seekers

IDPs

People of concern

Stateless persons

Who is a forced migrant?

Other definitions and categories

UNRWA for Palestinians

Disaster displacement

‘Environmental refugees’

Development induced displacement

Brief history

Phase 1, 1914-1939

Phase 2, Post WW2

Phase 3, 1960-1990

Phase 4, 1990sPhase 5 late 90s-

21c

Emergence of Regime to care for

the displaced

Institutionalisation: the ‘51Convention, Instruments

Refugees in the South: Coping with Crisis, ‘67 Protocol

End of Cold War and ‘Complex Emergencies’

Fortress Mentality, Redefinition: Asylum/migration nexus, managing migration, the challenge of protection

North

Globalisation of migration and asylum The demise of the refugeePeace building/post-conflict reconstructionClimate change

South

Internal displacement

Protracted exile

Challenge of protection

Humanitarian response

Contemporary challenges

Thank you